Ready or Not, Here It Comes
So what does getting laid off have to do with psychotherapy? In the best of all worlds, maybe not much. But as often as we think about what life would be like without having to go to work, getting laid off is a whole different experience.
If you live anywhere in southeastern Michigan, chances are that you or someone close to you will be affected by job layoffs sometime soon.
Here are some suggestions to help you get through it:
?Talk openly with your family about expectations and needs—yours, theirs, and the family as a group
?Get advice from someone you trust about your financial status–this could be your banker or financial planner
?Ask questions! HR, your supervisor, your colleagues, can all be sources of information.
?Think ahead. While it may sound great to be starting over with a severance package, how will you feel 6 months from now if you’re still looking for a job? How about a year? Plan for success, but also plan for things which may be out of your control.
?Finally, remember that there will be good times and bad times. If you find yourself unable to cope in your usual ways, ask for help from a professional counselor or therapist. It can be great to have a safe, confidential place to talk about your feelings without worrying about adding to your family’s stress.
October 27th, 2008 - Posted in Work | |
2 Responses to ' Ready or Not, Here It Comes '
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on November 20th, 2008 at 9:07 am
Getting laid off from your job especially at this time of the year can be terribly difficult to manage. There are so many things going on in your head, from financial worries to general thoughts of what others are going to think about you now that you are unemployed. I have been there before and believe me it is not fun. But i think that the advice that you presented is very good and hopefully there will come a time very soon in the economic future that we can all stop worrying about that quite so much. But as always it is better to plan ahead and have something to fall back on should this ever happen to you.
on November 20th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Thank you for adding your comment…reading this morning’s newspaper (Nov. 20) is not very encouraging. Looks like the Detroit Big 3 may be left to save themselves…or not…and even more people will be adversely affected over the next few months. Truly a time to build and nurture our communities to support one another!